SCIENCE EDUCATION AND THE OHIO ACADEMY OFSCIENCE—AN HISTORICAL REVIEW1

RALPH W. DEXTERKent State University, Kent, Ohio

At the meeting of the Ohio State University Biological Club on November 3,1891, President William R. Lazenby suggested, at the conclusion of his presidentialaddress, the formation of a State Academy of Science. He urged that "theinitiatory steps toward the founding of such an academy should be taken bythis group and tonight." A committee consisting of Prof. Lazenby, as chairman,and Profs. D. S. Kellicott and W. A. Kellerman was appointed immediately toplan an organizational meeting. This was called to order on December 31.Prof. A. M. Bleile was elected chairman and Prof. Lazenby was chosen secretaryto serve for this meeting. A committee was selected to frame a constitution andthe by-laws. The first set of officers was then elected.

Titles for 26 papers had been submitted for this organizational meeting. Tenwere selected for reading while the committees were at work. The Ohio StateAcademy of Science was created, then, on the last day of 1891. Incorporationwas attained on March 12, 1892, with 59 charter members. In 1914 the namewas officially changed to The Ohio Academy of Science, a name which had beenused for some ten years, unofficially, on most of the Academy publications.

For many years there was no sectional organization, and when sections wereestablished, none was provided for the field of science education until as late as1940. However, from the very beginning and throughout its long history, TheOhio Academy of Science has been active in promoting science education. Inrecent years this has become one of its major objectives. This paper will tracethe highlights in fostering interest in science education in Ohio over a period of70 years.

Article II of the original constitution, drawn up in 1891, stated specificallythat one objective of the Academy is "to promote the diffusion of knowledge inthe various departments of science." One of the papers submitted to be read atthe organizational meeting was entitled "Biological Training as Preliminary tothe Study of Medicine," written by H. E. Chapin. In the program of the firstannual meeting, held in Columbus in 1892, there were three papers dealing withscience education. The fourth annual summer field meeting held at Sanduskyin 1895 met jointly with the Ohio Teachers Association. Prof. D. S. Kellicott ofThe Ohio State University informed teachers about the Academy of Science andurged their support in promoting the teaching of science in public schools. Atthe annual meeting held in Cincinnati that year, a report was given by Dr. E. W.Claypole on "A Mode of Preserving Specimens for Class Use."

At the winter meeting of 1897 held in Columbus, two reports were given onthe teaching of science in public schools. In the discussion that followed it wassuggested that the Academy publish a circular aimed at improving the teachingof science in the schools. A committee was appointed by President Kellerman(W. G. Tight, E. W. Claypole, and William Werthner), to consider the matterand to report back to the Academy membership. Also, Prof. John S. Royerspoke on the desirability of getting more school men into the Academy. A resolu-tion submitted by J. F. Bliss was adopted which read as follows: "Whereasnature study is rapidly becoming an important feature of the public schools and

^This paper was prepared by the Academy Historian for the Science Education Sectionof The Ohio Academy of Science, meeting at Cincinnati on April 21, 1961.

THE OHIO JOURNAL OF SCIENCE 61(4): 235, July, 1961

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whereas the love of nature is the stimulus to all true scientific study, therefore,be it resolved that this Academy of Science requests that the State AgriculturalExperiment Station continue to publish bulletins on scientific subjects in termssuited to the juvenile mind."

At the next annual meeting the committee on education reported but littleprogress. A new committee was then appointed, consisting of W. A. Kellerman,William Werthner, Mary E. Law, J. A. Bownocker, and C. J. Herrick. One ofthe new committee members, Miss Mary E. Law, had read a paper at this meetingon "A Plea for Science Teaching in the Public Schools." This report was printedin full in the 7th Annual Report of the Ohio State Academy of Science (1899).The following year the committee on science teaching presented a report at theannual meeting held in Cleveland. Much discussion centered around this report,but no record has been left of either the report itself, or any action resulting fromit. The printed program listed the following items for discussion: (1) Proportionof time that should be given to science in the high school curriculum. (2) Branchesof science to be included and their sequence. (3) Relative time devoted to lab-oratory and textbook work. (4) The extent that elementary science should betaught in the primary grades. (5) The preparation of teachers for this work.

The summer field meeting of 1900 was held at Put-in-Bay in the month ofJune. The Academy met with the Ohio State Teachers Association. At thenext annual meeting, a member of the Committee on Science Education, WilliamWerthner, read a report entitled, "Modern Language and Science in Ohio HighSchool Courses." Three years later Dr. Edward L. Rice addressed the Academyon "A Statistical Plea for Nature Study."

At the annual meeting of 1904 F. L. Landacre, secretary of the Academy,reported on the work of the Allied Education Association of Ohio. He had beenappointed as a member of the executive board of that society, which then extendedan invitation to the Academy to participate in a joint meeting. As a result, aspecial meeting was held in Columbus on December 30 at which time J. C. Hamble-ton gave a report on "The Relative Value and Extent of Scientific and LiteraryTeaching in a High School Course," followed by a discussion among those present.The paper was published in the 13th Annual Report of the Academy.

In his presidential address at the annual meeting of 1905, Dr. Herbert Osbornstressed the need for further studies on the natural history of Ohio. He pointedout that such "would fill a sound foundation for the more exact teaching of sciencein our schools, a branch which is becoming more and more of fundamental im-portance in education." At this meeting two reports were read on the teachingof science in high schools.

Following a discussion on the value of field trips for students in secondaryschools by Prof. George Hubbard at the meeting of 1908, it was voted that acommittee be appointed by the president of the Academy to study the matterand report at the next annual meeting. At this same time a new constitutionwas prepared. Article VII provided for formal sections for the first time asfollows: "Members not less than 15 in number may by special permission of theAcademy unite to form a section for the investigation of any branch of science.Each section shall bear the name of the science which it represents." A sectionfor science education was not established at that time, but papers and reportsof an educational nature were given at frequent intervals at meetings of theestablished sections.

The presidential address for the meeting of 1912, given by Dr. Bruce Fink,was entitled "Botanical Instruction in Colleges." This was published in full inthe Proceedings of The Ohio Academy of Science (6, Part 2: 72-87).

The 26th annual meeting of the Academy (1916) was held jointly with theOhio College Association. The principal address was delivered by Prof. CharlesH. Judd of the University of Chicago on "The More Complete Articulation of

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Higher Instruction with High Schools." Four additional addresses were givenon the general theme of college teaching of science and mathematics. The follow-ing year officers and members of the Academy were invited to take part in theColumbus meeting of the Central Association of Science and Mathematics Teachers.

The meeting of 1918 appropriately sponsored a symposium on science andthe war. This included a report by E. H. Johnson on "The Newer Demands onPhysics and Physics Teachers Due to the War." At the 36th annual meeting asymposium was held on biological training for medicine and dentistry.

An early attempt to stimulate working relations between the Academy andhigh school science teachers resulted in disappointment. Dr. C. G. Shatzer wasappointed in 1929 to investigate ways to encourage interest in science amonghigh school students. Dr. Shatzer wrote in the report that he, as a committee ofone, "spent the weeks since its appointment in futile efforts to locate certain highschool instructors, who had been reported as particularly interested in this pro-gram. These men were not found." He then made two suggestions: first, thata committee be appointed to contact other state academies and summarize theirmethods used to stimulate scientific endeavor among high school students; second,that the committee assist the membership committee in obtaining more membersfor the Academy among high school instructors. At this meeting PresidentGeorge W. Rightmire of The Ohio State University delivered an address on"Education in Ohio: The Academy's Part."

At the annual meeting for 1931, the Committee on Junior Scientific Effortreported that the Academies of Science in Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois are alsoengaged in a similar project. Results from a questionnaire sent to 37 Ohio highschools to get information on science clubs were summarized. Dr. Shatzer thenoutlined some recommendations for the Academy to follow, including the con-tinuation of such a study by a committee consisting of college administrators andteachers, and high school administrators and teachers.

The following year, Dr. Shatzer reported on continued progress. The out-standing accomplishment was a District Scientific Conference of high schoolstudents, which was held in Springfield in 1932. A total of 94 student projectswas placed on display, and the Conference was conducted largely under studentleadership. This pilot conference was so successful that a recommendation wasmade to continue the program and to enlarge it wherever possible.

At the same meeting two symposia were held dealing with educational prob-lems. One was entitled, "The Preparation of Students for Graduate Work inPhysics," and the other was "An Experiment with the Symposium Method ofTeaching."

At the annual meeting of 1933, the matter of a science program for secondaryschool students was discussed. Dr. Shatzer reported that following a conferenceheld with the Director of the Ohio State Department of Education, he wishedto propose that a central office be established through which the Academy couldcommunicate to science students in the public schools, and that volunteer servicebe obtained from members of the Academy to carry out such duties. Also, thatspecialists among Academy members be asked to cooperate with such a centraloffice in preparing suitable printed material for distribution and to aid studentsin the identification of specimens which they might collect. A budget of $100 wasasked to establish this program. After careful deliberation, the Executive Com-mittee issued the following statement: "That notwithstanding the obvious meritsin the Junior Scientific Endeavor Movement as revealed in the fine efforts andreport of Dr. Shatzer, it was the unanimous opinion of the committee that dueto a lack of funds, to meet and overcome the practical difficulties obviouslyinherent in the work, as pointed out by Dr. Shatzer, the only thing to do is tohold the matter in abeyance for the present at least." Even though the aboveproposal failed to materialize, some progress was made in public education by

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establishing a series of radio talks in the field of science. This was initiated onJanuary 6, 1933, and Academy members volunteered to participate so that oneprogram was offered each week over a period of time.

At that same meeting a special symposium was held on "Cultural PhysicsCourses." The following year the sections of physics and chemistry uniting withthe Ohio Physics Club sponsored a joint education program. New methodsand apparatus for teaching physical science were discussed.

At the annual meeting for 1937, an Invitational Address was given by Dr.Otis W. Caldwell, permanent secretary of the American Association for theAdvancement of Science, on "Science and Higher Learning." At this meetingthe Section of Chemistry sponsored another special program on educationalmatters. The following year an invitational address on "The Training of ScienceTeachers" was given by E. N. Dietrich, State Director of Education. Also atthat meeting a special report was given by a committee which had been organized

DR. C. G. SHATZEROrganized the first District Scien-

tific Conference for high schoolstudents.

DR. CHARLES W. JARVISOrganized the first Junior Academy

of Science.

the previous year "to cooperate with the Ohio Department of Education in out-lining the public requirements in preparing teachers of science for the Ohio juniorand senior high schools." The minimum preparation suggested, forty semesterhours, was outlined in detail, and it was suggested that a Master's Degree mightbe completed in the general field of science, rather than in a special department,for secondary teaching.

At the Semicentennial Meeting of the Academy in 1940, a Junior Academyof Science was finally established after the abortive attempt of the previousseveral years. The Junior Academy was made a Section of the Senior Academy.Prof. Charles W. Jarvis of Ohio Wesleyan University was selected to head thisproject. A trial Junior Academy meeting was organized as a part of the Semi-centennial Celebration, which took place on May 11, 1940. Sixty-five highschool students from various parts of the state participated in presenting papers

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in the fields of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. A number ofdemonstrations and exhibitions were also placed on display. The success of thistrial meeting assured the establishment of a Junior Academy.

Dr. Jarvis was in charge of the Junior Academy Program and Dr. Otis W.Caldwell spoke to this group on "The Essentials of a Successful Junior Academy."A proposed constitution was presented, officers were elected, and awards weregiven to those students who were judged best in reading papers and presentingdemonstrations.

At the annual meeting for 1941, held in Cleveland, the Junior Academy con-tinued along the lines established the previous year. The annual address for theJunior Academy Section was given by Dean William Westhoger of the College ofWooster. He spoke on "The Function of the Junior Academy in Relation toScience in the Secondary Schools." While the program for the Junior Academy,as well as the Senior Academy, suffered from wartime conditions, both neverthe-less continued to operate as best as conditions would allow.

In 1943 Dr. Jarvis gave the principal address for the Junior Academy speakingon "Progress of Junior Academy of Science Work." The following year he spokeon, "The Future of the Junior Academy of Science." A second address wasgiven at that time by Dr. H. H. Rosenberry of Ohio University, who discussed"The Effect of the War on the Future of Science Teaching."

The Academy did not meet in 1945 because of wartime restrictions. TheExecutive Committee did assemble and, among other things, discussed the pos-sibility of providing a seal for use on certificates given to participants in the JuniorAcademy Program. Dr. Frederick H. Krecker presented a motion that a com-mittee of three be appointed "to handle the matter of Junior Academysponsorship."

While the Academy resumed its annual meetings in 1946, the Junior Academydid not meet again until 1948. In the meantime, President Carmean appointedC. H. Bennett, Arthur Harper, and F. H. Krecker, to serve as a committee on theJunior Academy program. Dr. Krecker was named Chairman. At the 1947meeting he presented a plan prepared by the committee to reorganize and reacti-vate the Junior Academy.

At the meeting of 1948 held at the University of Toledo a Section of ScienceEducation was organized for science teachers, and the Junior Academy for highschool students was reactivated under the sponsorship of the new section. Stu-dents taking part in the District and State Science Day exhibitions would becomemembers of the Junior Academy for that year. Dr. Krecker supervised theseplans for reorganization. He presided at the meeting at which details for theprogram were discussed by those in attendance, and he instigated the publicationof the Ohio Academy of Science News.

The first Annual State Science Day for the Junior Academy under the newplan of operation was held on April 22, 1949, at the meeting held on the campusof Denison University. Students receiving superior rating at the five DistrictScience Day meetings held at the five state universities were invited to participate.Awards were given to students for their accomplishments. Outstanding teacherswere honored at the Annual Business Meeting by Dr. Krecker. He also preparedfor publication in The Ohio Journal of Science (50: 301-304, 1950) an account ofthe present organization of the Junior Academy, the reason for its existence, andthe details of its operation. The section of Science Education at this annualmeeting held a panel discussion on "Project Work in the High School ScienceGroups."

At the annual meeting for 1951, the Conservation Committee recommendedto the Academy the promotion of conservation education in the public schools.Also recommended was encouragement for a wider use of field study in the schoolprogram.

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At the meeting of the Council in 1953, a recommendation from the ExecutiveCommittee was approved which provided that the district representatives of theJunior Academy Council and the Executive Secretary of the Junior Academybe appointed by the Executive Committee. Council members would serve forthree year terms, and the secretary would serve a five year term. At the programfor the Section of Science Education that year, a discussion was held on the "Pro-posed New Science Section of the Ohio Educational Association and How It MayServe Ohio Science Teachers," led by Dr. J. R. Richardson of The Ohio StateUniversity.

In 1954 Prof. R. E. McKay of Bowling Green State University was appointedExecutive Secretary of the Junior Academy. Prof. McKay reported a total stu-dent participation of 2,268 from grades 7 through 12 for the district meetings anda total registration of 350 for the State Science Day Program. District meetings

DR. FREDERICK H. KRECKERReorganized the Junior Academy

of Science and founded the OhioAcademy of Science News.

were held at seven centers throughout the state. At the meeting of the ExecutiveCommittee a lengthy discussion was held on the matter of teacher training andcertification. This was stimulated by the publication of an article entitled "NewRequirements for Provisional Teaching Certification in Science in Ohio" by Dr.C. E. Ronneberg in The Science Teacher for March, 1955.

At the meeting for 1956 the discussion on training and certification of scienceteachers was continued and President Paul Rothemund was authorized to appointa temporary committee to study the matter. Dr. H. A. Cunningham of KentState University was named chairman, and he selected a committee of twelverepresentatives from various disciplines of science and levels of education. Thatyear the student participation in the Junior Academy program rose to 2,673 highschool students in seven districts. Approximately 425 took part at the StateScience Day Exhibition. The Section of Chemistry sponsored a report on scienceteacher certification given by Dr. Ronneberg. Also, a guest speaker, Dr. J. R.

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Mayor, Director of the Science Teaching Improvement Program of the AmericanAssociation for the Advancement of Science, spoke to Academy members on"Responsibility of Scientists and Science Departments for the Science Program ofSecondary Schools."

The following year participation in the Junior Academy reached the level of3,556 students in the seven District Science Day Meetings. Of these, 620 wereinvited to take part in the Ninth Annual State Science Day Program. Becauseof other pressing duties, Prof. McKay requested that he be replaced by Prof.G. G. Acker as Executive Secretary of the Junior Division, but Prof. McKayagreed to serve as Assistant Executive Secretary. At the meeting of the Sectionof Science Education, Dr. Cunningham reported on "Some Challenging Problemsin the Training and Certification of Elementary and High School Teachers,"and Dr. Ronneberg reported to the Section of Chemistry on "Needed Changesin Certification of Science Teachers."

The following year a special lecture, "Federal Program for Improving ScienceEducation," was presented by Dr. Bowen C. Dees, Deputy Director of the NationalScience Foundation. This lecture was sponsored by the Section of Physics andAstronomy. A total of 877 high school students from 233 schools took part inthe State Science Day Program. These students had been selected from 4,434students taking part in the Tenth Annual District Science Day Meetings. Afinal report of the special committee on the training and certification of scienceteachers was given, and the Section of Chemistry sponsored that year a symposiumon "Trends and Problems in the Teaching of General Chemistry."

In 1959 a new committee was established to continue the study of trainingand certification of science teachers with Dr. J. C. Gray of Western Reserve Uni-versity as Chairman. That year, for the first time, the number of projects per-mitted entry at the State Science Day Exhibition was limited to 600 because ofits rapid growth in recent years, and the limitation of available space. A ScienceDay Award was presented for the first time to those schools from which manystudents earned a superior rating.

The Section of Geography sponsored a panel discussion on "The Status ofGeography in our Secondary Schools" at the Annual Meeting for 1960. A totalof 600 projects in which nearly 700 students from 240 schools, representing nineScience Day Districts, were judged during the Junior Division Exposition. Atthe Annual Meeting, in addition to awards given to outstanding students, teachers,and schools, Prof. Acker presented a Distinguished Service Citation to Dr.Frederick H. Krecker for his eminent service in reviving and guiding the programof the Junior Division. Two of the outstanding Academy accomplishments forthis year were the receipt of funds from the National Science Foundation tooperate the Science Day Program in Ohio, and to establish a Visiting ScientistProgram for Ohio schools. With substantial funds from this source, givingnational recognition to the educational program of The Ohio Academy of Science,this organization has come of age as an effective body for the promotion of scienceeducation in the state of Ohio.

Acknowledgment is made to the following officers of The Ohio Academy ofScience for a careful reading of the manuscript: Dr. Glenn H. Brown, President;Dr. George W. Burns, Secretary; and Kenneth B. Hobbs, Executive Secretary.